Why don't I get Wishes and Illuminations?

[Kakikomori]

I've been debating posting this since I joined the DIS. There are always so many good comments on Wishes and Illuminations. I guess I just don't get it? It's fireworks, and they're good ones, but it's basically just fireworks and music. Am I jaded? Am I missing something?

I've got myself setup on my little (ok huge ) master plan to see both shows in as much of a good setup as I think I can get without spending hours sitting on the sidewalks waiting. Is there something I should be looking or listening for that I've just never taken the time or effort to notice?

I could really use your help here, DISers. The goal of this trip is to do all the things I've not taken the time to do or do properly. I don't want to miss out on the Disney magic of the experience because I'm missing the best part.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I don't think you are *missing* anything...Not everything at Disney is for everyone. One persons favorite ride, show or restaurant is anothers least favorite. Wishes makes me cry every single time I see it - not sure I can put into words why it does. Now Fantasmic - not my thing...does nothing for me.

 

[Pikezh638]

I like the shows, but I agree they are fireworks (good ones) and music (good as well) but in the end that is all they are. I waited 45 minutes to see the new Wishes two weeks ago, and it was good but any longer of a wait and I would have been ready to leave.

I think the best thing is get where you can hear the music/story and see the show.

 

[Disney_Jill]

I love Illuminations because it creates such a sense of world harmony and togetherness. Its all about being one world. I look around while watching it and see all the people visiting from other countries and it just makes me smile to be part of a place that brings everyone together. I'm a weirdo dreamer, I guess. LOL
Wishes I love but I don't get as emotional. The biggest thing is how these shows combine fireworks and a storyline with music. That, to me, is so amazing! I especially love Hallowishes, I listen to that on my Disney party DVD.
You are missing anything, per say, I think you just aren't really getting the story as much.

 

[Micca]

I've been bored with fireworks for 20+ years. I enjoy the displays at WDW more than other fireworks shows, but I don't want to stand around more than about 10 minutes waiting for fireworks or a parade. Maybe if the weather was just right, and the crowds were just right, I'd enjoy it more.

 

[Kakikomori]

You are missing anything, per say, I think you just aren't really getting the story as much.

There's a story? Well, that's something that I've definitely missed. I knew that Illuminations was supposed to be about chaos becoming harmony or something similar, is there an actual spoken story in with the music? If so, is there one for Wishes, too?

 

[mom2rtk]

I really only like fireworks with a castle in the foreground. So we never stay for Illuminations.

We use Epcot for an early night.

 

[silverhaze269]

I never knew there was a "story" behind Illuminations until I did the Illuminations boat cruise a few years back. It essentially tells the story of earth from the beginning to "now". There's lots of explosions and fireworks at the beginning with the colours red and orange to signify the earth's molten stage, and then as it cools down the colours change to hues of blue and green, and water features a bit more prominently. I find it has more meaning now every time I see it because I know the story behind what's happening.

As for Wishes...I don't know that there's a story per-se...I just think it's a cool fireworks display set to some fun music.

 

[jpeka65844]

You don't get fireworks for the same reason I don't get parades.

 

[RMulieri]

You aren't missing anything...I feel the same..they are nice shows but nothing I feel the need to go out of my way for.I feel the same about the parades( except Boo to you ).Not everything appeals to everyone

 

[Sammie]

No offense, but if you don't get it, you won't understand why others do.

But its ok really, and yes both have story lines to them. I can not even listen to Wishes without getting a lump in my throat.


"Wishes"
Music Composed by Gregory Smith
Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish, I wish tonight.

Ohh, a world of wishes,
A world where dreams come true.
So make a wish, see it through.
Dare to do what dreamers do.

CHORUS:

Wishes...
Dream a dream.
Wishes...
Set it free.
Wishes…
Trust your heart.
Just believe.

We’re all just children,
Reaching for our dreams.
They’re shining high above us,
And even though it seems so far (so far)
We put our faith and hope on a shooting star.

Ohh...

CHORUS:

Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish, I wish tonight.
We’ll make a wish and do as dreamers do.

And all our wishes, (All our wishes)

All our wishes,
Will come,
True…
Wishes, wishes.

To get the full meaning of Illuminations you need to be where you can see the photos reflected on the World globe in the middle of the lagoon.

 

[sue_gowin]

I love Illuminations because it creates such a sense of world harmony and togetherness. Its all about being one world. I look around while watching it and see all the people visiting from other countries and it just makes me smile to be part of a place that brings everyone together. I'm a weirdo dreamer, I guess. LOL
Wishes I love but I don't get as emotional. The biggest thing is how these shows combine fireworks and a storyline with music. That, to me, is so amazing! I especially love Hallowishes, I listen to that on my Disney party DVD.
You are missing anything, per say, I think you just aren't really getting the story as much.

Agreed. Illuminations brings me to tears....I don't even have to be watching it...just listening to the soundtrack does the trick! Wishes is beautiful, but it only makes me cry when watching the show

 

[Tigger's ally]

not one single parade I ever would give a nickel to see. Just not a parade type of guy I guess. However, Illuminations is the one show I see every trip on the first night, and the last night. Love the story, the music, the laser timing and the fireworks. It is a family tradition. Love it.

 

[SashaFarce]

Something I tell my girlfriend a lot is that OUR Disney is clearly not the same as everyone else's, and in fact everyone's Disney is different. We don't like shows or rope drop or parades or fireworks or generally the fancy restaurants (though we recently did a trip where we stayed on property and did the dining plan and enjoyed it, it's not important to us) or stuff like that. We're there to ride. Some people feel the exact opposite. It's all what you WANT to get out of it and if you don't get the appeal, don't sweat it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Story line for Illuminations...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IllumiNations:_Reflections_of_Earth

http://www.intercot.com/edc/illuminations/illumi2000.html

And Wishes...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wishes:_A_Magical_Gathering_of_Disney_Dreams

 

[Kakikomori]

I'm really excited about seeing the MSEP, but that's because I've been wanting to see it since I was around 4 or 5. I actually had a 45 of the music I played on my kiddie record player.

Thanks for the help, info and the reminder to just enjoy myself. : I'll ask some CMs in MK and Epcot where the best places to hear the music are. I'm a big guy, but I'm pretty easy to get with the "this will make 'em tear up for sure" button.

 

[joshsmom]

My son and I love Wishes and Illuminations. We have the soundtracks in the car. I can cry just listening to them--and if my son is in the right mood, so can he (and he will be 16 in 3 days!!). My mom, on the other hand, could not care any less about Illuminations. I think she tolerates that and Wishes for me and my son. Its just her experience. Everybody is different! Its all good--its what makes the world go around!

 

[KristaTX]

I highly recommend watching Illuminations sometime and focusing in on the globe and what is going on on the screens, and listen to the words of the song when that part comes. That is where you will be able to really "see" and hear the story. The globe, along with all of the fireworks, lights, music, and lyrics, are telling the story of Earth and humans. That is why it is called "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth".

Illuminations begins with the Creation/Big Bang (it can be seen as either - your choice). Fireworks, fire, explosions, etc. It is all very orange and white.

Then the planet begins to form and cool, and that is when you see the globe come out.

As it cools, it goes from blue (water) to green (land). The fountains are also emphasized here.

Eventually, you see animals and people appear on the globe.

After the people appear, you start to to see the creative side of humanity. Even the fireworks become more colorful. There are segments on transportation, art, architecture, music, specific historical people, and so on.

Then there is the part about getting along, and the finale and the Promise/We go on song:

Every evening, Brings An Ending
Every Day Becomes A Legacy
Every Sunset Leads To Morning

With The Promise Of Opportunity
We Can Reach For The Stars We Find Along The Way
Dreaming As We Learn To Love Everyday

Promise, You Will Take My Hand
As tomorrow Comes, We'll Go on

We'll Go On, Growing Closer Through The Years
Moving On, Through The Good Times And The Tears
Ever On, Another Thousand Circles Round The Sun
If Two Can Be As One, We'll Go On

There Is Music, If You Listen
In The Rhythm Of Each Breath We Take
Destinations Undiscovered, Revelations From Every Choice We Make

And I know, There Are Diamonds Dancing In The Sky
All We Have To Do, Is Open Our Eyes
Promise, We'll Walk Side By Side
As A New Day Dawns, We'll go On

We'll Go On, Growing Closer Through The Years
Moving On, Through The Good Times And The Tears
Ever On, Another Thousand Circles Round The Sun
A New Life Has Begun, The Two Of Us As One, We'll Go On

Moving On, Through The Good Times And The Tears
Ever On, Another Thousand Circles Round The Sun

A New Life Has Begun, When Two Of Us Are One
And We Live To Keep The Promise, We'll Go On

Ever on, We'll Go On

This will sound silly to some, but to me, when IllumiNations is looked at as a whole (music, fireworks, fire, water, story, images, architecture), it is a wondrous work of art.

 

[KristaTX]

I'll ask some CMs in MK and Epcot where the best places to hear the music are. I'm a big guy, but I'm pretty easy to get with the "this will make 'em tear up for sure" button.

If you look at the big torches around World Showcase, you will see that they are numbered. We often watch from Torch #10 between American and Japan. It is less crowded in that part of the park (as compared to Mexico, Norway, Canada, the France/England bridge), and although there are a few trees right there that can slightly block some of the fireworks, there is a speaker and the sound is great in that spot. If you listen to the music that plays before IllumiNations, you will be able to tell if there is a good speaker near you.

 

[joshsmom]

This will sound silly to some, but to me, when IllumiNations is looked at as a whole (music, fireworks, fire, water, story, images, architecture), it is a wondrous work of art.

Not silly to me at all!! Thank you for posting the lyrics. Wasn't even listening to the music and I started crying just READING them and KNOWING how I feel when I'm there. Thanks!! You're AWESOME!!